Opening MDS files

Have a problem opening a .MDS file? We collect information about file formats and can explain what MDS files are. Additionally we recommend software suitable for opening or converting such files.

What is the .MDS file type?

MDS is a file extension for Media Descriptor CD Image files. MDS files are generated by disc imaging software applications such as Alcohol 120% by Alcohol Soft and Daemon Tools by Disc Soft Ltd when creating a disc image from a CD/DVD.

MDS files are used to describe parameters of an optical disc - for example, what tracks it stores and in what order. Thus, MDS files work similar to information files with the .cue extension which define data stored in a .bin disc image.

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MDS files are usually accompanied by a corresponding .mdf file which contains the actual raw data from an optical disc. In the latest versions of the disc imaging applications these two files were replaced by an .mdx file capable of aggregating all required data into a single archive.

Files with the .mds extension are often used in business production of copyright-protected discs because they support layer break positions. That feature helps copyright owners reduce creation of illegal disc copies and prevent piracy.